Traditionalist Groups in Talks With Rome

LONDON, AUG. 20, 2012 (Zenit.org).- As discussions continue between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X over a possible reconciliation of the breakaway group with Rome, a couple of similarly-minded groups have indicated a desire to return to communion with the Catholic Church.

The Scottish-based Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Transalpine Redemptorists, was erected last week, on the feast of the Assumption, as a Clerical Institute of Diocesan Right, the Catholic Herald reported Aug. 15.

The community of about 15 members had previously been a part of the Society of St. Pius X but in 2008 it declared a wish to reconcile with Rome.

The community is based on Papa Stronsay, an island in Orkney, to the northeast of Scotland.

Two days later the Catholic Herald reported that Bishop David Bell, 41, the head of the Society of Pope Leo XIII, which also celebrates Mass according to the pre-Vatican II form, is in talks with Rome about a possible reconciliation.

According to the Catholic Herald the society says it has 73 bishops and 500 priests, with about 8.5 million people in its congregations.

Bishop Bell said the society is currently engaged in talks with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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